BWW Reviews: Paramount's Fresh CINDERELLA is a Lovely Night

Sometimes a little retooling and freshening up of an old classic isn't such a bad thing. I mean I was a little dubious when I heard they were remounting the classic of "Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella" especially when I heard it was getting an all new book. But the tour of this new version still keeps all the magic and charm alive while adding in some humor and elements that just make the characters all the more rich and engaging.

Not too worry, not too much has changed. We still have Cinderella (Paige Faure), the beautiful girl who's forced to take care of her mean stepmother Madame (Beth Glover) and Madame's two daughters Gabrielle and Charlotte (Kaitlyn Davidson and Aymee Garcia). And the handsome Prince Topher (Andy Jones) still throws a ball to meet all the eligible ladies in the kingdom, and Cinderella dreams of attending that ball. And Cinderella's Fairy Godmother Marie (Kecia Lewis) still arrives just in time to transform her into a beautiful princess so she can go to the ball. Yes, it's all there, and then some.

But what Douglas Carter Beane's new book has done is breathed some fresh air into the story we've heard so many times. Cinderella is no longer just a dreamer looking for a man but a girl with a good head on her shoulders who cares about people. The Prince is no longer just some arm candy or prize to be won. In fact, he's kind of a dork but a loveable one who wants a better life for his people. And not all the Stepfamily is evil. Gabrielle actually feels bad for Cinderella when her mother and sister pick on her and longs to run away with the political Jean-Michel (David Andino). And the humor and fresh takes on things that Beane has infused throughout really make this version much more engaging and highly entertaining.

Faure is kind of a quadruple threat here; gorgeous voice, very fun and likable, beautiful and a superb dancer. As I said, Jones lends a kind of adorable dorkishness to the Prince making him more accessible and much more than a prop. He even now gets his own "I want" song at the top of the show. Glover, Davidson and Garcia take on the "Steps" with glee but again infuse them with much more complexity. And special kudos to Garcia for making the mean sister way too fun and sassy without going too far over the top. Andino is too lovable as the meek yet rebellious Jean-Michel and he and Davidson's scene was priceless. And Lewis sparkles (literally) as Marie; the beggar woman turned Fairy Godmother. Killer voice, great character and humor AND she flies!

There's just no end to the fun and happiness that this production gives. It'll satisfy for all ages unless you're cold and dead inside. And so I'll wave my magic wand and come up with a lovely YAY with my three letter rating system. Take your kids or just take yourself. You're bound to have fun.

"Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella" performs at the Paramount Theatre through March 1st. For tickets or information visit them online at www.stgpresents.org.

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